High-resolution point cloud data published to support coastal hazard planning

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has released new high-resolution coastal LiDAR point cloud data, providing one of the most detailed digital views of New Zealand’s coastline to date.

The dataset marks a milestone for the 3DCM programme which launched in 2025.

The point cloud, now available on the LINZ Data Service, captures coastal environments in three dimensions, supporting better understanding of coastal change and risks such as sea-level rise, storm surge and tsunami. The dataset includes areas such as the Ōakura coastline in Taranaki, Dog Island in Foveaux Strait, and the Port of Tauranga. 

A point cloud is a collection of millions of data points captured before they are processed to produce the DEM (Digital Elevation Model) or DSM (Digital Surface Model). Point clouds are often viewed in 3D as a cloud of points, hence the name. The data points are classified – and can also be colourised - into sets of likely ground feature types, including things like bare ground, vegetation groups, buildings and seafloor allowing scientists, planners and decision-makers to analyse coastal environments with greater accuracy.

‘The 3DCM Programme has made significant progress toward its objective of mapping up to 40 percent of New Zealand’s coastline. We’re pleased to have reached another milestone on time. This release is one of several dataset milestones as we continue to make more coastal data available. We also acknowledge our suppliers Woolpert Asia-Pacific and NV5 Geospatial for their work in delivering this data,’ says Stuart Caie, 3D Coastal Mapping Programme Lead.

The data is available to the public on the LINZ Data Service:
New Zealand Coastal LiDAR Point Cloud | LINZ Data Service

To find out more about the programme, see:
3D Coastal Mapping programme